Minister Jaklitsch visits Slovenians in Gorizia area
Gorizia, 9 November - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch started a two-day visit to the Slovenian ethnic minority in the area of Gorizia in Italy's region Friuli-Venezia Giulia on Monday as she continues visiting the minority in Italy, the Office for Slovenians Abroad said in a press release on Tuesday.
Ljubljana
Helena Jaklitsch, minister for Slovenians abroad.
Photo: Bor Slana/STA
File photo
The minister met representatives of many Slovenian institutions, including publisher Zadruga Goriška Mohorjeva, the Simon Gregorčič Dorm for Secondary School Students, the Youth Centre, and the Kinoatelje film centre, while completing the day in the town of Štandrež (Sant' Andrea).
She also met Gorizia Archbishop Carlo Roberto Maria Redaelli and Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna, and laid a wreath at the monument to poet and priest Simon Gregorčič (1844-1906).
Members of the cooperative Zadruga Goriška Mohorjeva presented to her the challenge brought about by digitalisation, and the need to train young co-workers.
The publisher is meanwhile happy it has managed to keep its circle of readers and thus its mission of cherishing Slovenian identity in Gorizia area and beyond.
The minister visited the Simon Gregorčič Dorm and the Youth Centre, which provide afternoon care for children and represent two of the main Slovenian institutions there.
All interlocutors highlighted the role of post-school activities for fostering Slovenian-language speaking skills among the youth.
The minister was also acquainted with plans and challenges of the many Slovenian organisations active at the Gorizia culture and education KB Center.
The representatives of these organisations presented to her their activities aimed at preserving and strengthening Slovenian identity and language.
However, they are aware the Slovenian community is shrinking as many young people leave for Slovenia or elsewhere, which calls for refection on how to cherish Slovenian identity in the future.
Mayor Ziberna outlined to Jaklitsch the project of setting up tourist info boards in Italian, Slovenian and English in the city of Gorizia.
Jaklitsch was accompanied by Consul General in Trieste Vojko Volk, and the heads of both umbrella minority organisations in Italy, Walter Bandelj (SSO) and Ksenije Dobrila (SKGZ). At the end of October, she visited the Slovenian ethnic community in the area of Udine (Videm).